When the Mississippi Ran Backwards: Empire, Intrigue, Murder, and the New Madrid Earthquakes of 1811-12
SKU: 77915590741

When the Mississippi Ran Backwards: Empire, Intrigue, Murder, and the New Madrid Earthquakes of 1811-12

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When the Mississippi Ran Backwards: Empire, Intrigue, Murder, and the New Madrid Earthquakes of 1811-12From Jay Feldmen comes an enlightening work about how the most powerful earthquakes in the history of America united the Indians in one last desperate rebellion, reversed the Mississippi River, revealed a seamy murder in the Jefferson family, and altered the course of the War of 1812. On December 15, 1811, two of Thomas Jefferson's nephews murdered a slave in cold blood and put his body parts into a roaring fire. The evidence would have been destroyed

From Jay Feldmen comes an enlightening work about how the most powerful earthquakes in the history of America united the Indians in one last desperate rebellion, reversed the Mississippi River, revealed a seamy murder in the Jefferson family, and altered the course of the War of 1812.

On December 15, 1811, two of Thomas Jefferson's nephews murdered a slave in cold blood and put his body parts into a roaring fire. The evidence would have been destroyed but for a rare act of God--or, as some believed, of the Indian chief Tecumseh.

That same day, the Mississippi River's first steamboat, piloted by Nicholas Roosevelt, powered itself toward New Orleans on its maiden voyage. The sky grew hazy and red, and jolts of electricity flashed in the air. A prophecy by Tecumseh was about to be fulfilled.

He had warned reluctant warrior-tribes that he would stamp his feet and bring down their houses. Sure enough, between December 16, 1811, and late April 1812, a catastrophic series of earthquakes shook the Mississippi River Valley. Of the more than 2,000 tremors that rumbled across the land during this time, three would have measured nearly or greater than 8.0 on the not-yet-devised Richter Scale. Centered in what is now the bootheel region of Missouri, the New Madrid earthquakes were felt as far away as Canada; New York; New Orleans; Washington, DC; and the western part of the Missouri River. A million and a half square miles were affected as the earth's surface remained in a state of constant motion for nearly four months. Towns were destroyed, an eighteen-mile-long by five-mile-wide lake was created, and even the Mississippi River temporarily ran backwards.

The quakes uncovered Jefferson's nephews' cruelty and changed the course of the War of 1812 as well as the future of the new republic. In When the Mississippi Ran Backwards, Jay Feldman expertly weaves together the story of the slave murder, the steamboat, Tecumseh, and the war, and brings a forgotten period back to vivid life. Tecumseh's widely believed prophecy, seemingly fulfilled, hastened an unprecedented alliance among southern and northern tribes, who joined the British in a disastrous fight against the U.S. government. By the end of the war, the continental United States was secure against Britain, France, and Spain; the Indians had lost many lives and much land; and Jefferson's nephews were exposed as murderers. The steamboat, which survived the earthquake, was sunk.

When the Mississippi Ran Backwards sheds light on this now-obscure yet pivotal period between the Revolutionary and Civil wars, uncovering the era's dramatic geophysical, political, and military upheavals. Feldman paints a vivid picture of how these powerful earthquakes made an impact on every aspect of frontier life--and why similar catastrophic quakes are guaranteed to recur. When the Mississippi Ran Backwards is popular history at its best.

Binding Type: Paperback
Publisher: Free Press
Published: 04/07/2012
ISBN: 9780743242790
Pages: 320
Weight: 1.00lbs
Size: 8.90h x 6.00w x 0.80d
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SKU: 77915590741

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Massapequa, US
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Great for dog self play
Size: 6 Inch, Color: Red, Size: 6 Inch, Color: Red
So much fun for my puppy. Easy to grab and throw for him to play alone. Durable for a medium dog. This is his favorite toy. I also bought one for my friends cattle dog puppy who went bonkers with it. Yet her dog liked to chew the tags off. So I wouldn’t recommend for chewers.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 27, 2026
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Dawn L
San Leandro, US
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Fun to fetch
Size: 5 Inch, Color: Red, Size: 5 Inch, Color: Red
Perfect size for my 1 yr old Cavapoo that is ball obsessed. This ball is fun to toss around in the yard to exercise and wear out my energetic boy. Perfect for after my work day when I don’t have the energy to match his energy level. He gets to run and chase and I can enjoy his playtime too. Overall the ball is durable and I have confidence it will last for a very long time. We have 2 sizes, small and medium, for my 30 pound athletic pup. He enjoys both equally.
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Reviewed in the United States on April 21, 2026
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brownie2009
Carnegie, US
β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜… 5
Dog loves them
Size: 6 Inch, Color: Independence Day
My dog loved the first ball I got her, so I got her a second one. Both hhavr been very durable (she likes to puncture things with her teeth). I left each ball slightly deflated, so they were still firm, but she could bite them without issues. She has not punctured either ball yet. I did have to watch her because she started trying to chew the tabs off because she was bored. She has not chewed one off, just started thinking about it, and did a tiny bit of damage to one tab. She loves these balls. We have played tug of wat with them too, so yhe tabs are sturdy, and so is the ball. The dog did not care what collar she got, so I grabbed the least expensive one, and the 6 inch. She is a medium sized dog with razor teeth, and these work great.
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Reviewed in the United States on March 15, 2026
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Russell Taft
Louisville, US
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Not recommended for the aggressive player..
Size: 6 Inch, Color: Red, Size: 6 Inch, Color: Red
First this ball was not delivered when it should have been. Second, the tabs are poorly made. One day of my dog playing with it and the tabs are already torn up. The ball itself is fun for her and has not deflated for now at least.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 10, 2026
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Grantham, US
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Best Balls Ever!!!
Size: Medium
These are the best balls ever! We have 2 very active ball loving dogs and these bounce very well and they actually hold up with active play and chewing. They still look brand new after daily use for months!
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Reviewed in the United States on May 15, 2026

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